FRANCO’S FREE-FOR-ALL FRIDAYS… By FRANCO So convention season is around the corner… actually it started back in April for me, but with a bunch of shows on the horizon I figured now would be as good a time as any to talk about them. By the time you read this, I most likely will be at Heroes Con in North Carolina. I always have mixed feelings about these shows, as I love to attend and meet fans and get to see friends I don’t see often enough. It’s also something that I don’t really like to do. I dislike packing and prepping for a show. Inevitably — no matter what, never fails — I ALWAYS forget to bring something. I forget to pack the newest book that came out (honestly, I’ve done that more than once), or my card reader or basic change to give people, or my toothpaste… ugh. I hate when that happens. And, yes, it happens every show. So if you see me at Heroes, ask me what I forgot and I’ll let you know… or any show for that matter. Also, I dislike the travel part. I have to get from Point A, my home — which I like and really don’t leave often — to Point B, the convention, which I also like. But the everything in between is what I could really do without. It’s a thing that’s necessary and I get it. I’ve gotten better at it and I don’t get annoyed or panicked as much as I used to. One of the saving graces of getting older is I’ve learned to be more of a duck and let things just roll off my back. Airline travel, car travel, train travel, I’ve done them all and every time I think: When will they invent teleportation so I can just be there instantly? But then I think of how bad that could be… I’ve watched those episodes of Star Trek and seen those teleporter malfunctions. Yes, my mind tends to wander… I’m a writer, it goes with the territory. But then I arrive at the show and set up, and in between the getting there and the departure is a cool experience. You never really know what is going to happen, who you are going to see, what the funniest moment of the...
A special FRANCO FRIDAYS/NEAL ADAMS CHRONICLES (early) birthday tribute to the late comics legend… By FRANCO Neal Adams scolded me for not charging for my autograph. At the time, imposter syndrome was high. I had been doing conventions, but honestly had not had many interactions with high-profile comic creators. But the more of them I did, the more I would have interactions with them. Most were good but awkward. I wouldn’t know what to say or do and get nervous most of the time. This was the state of mind I was dealing with when Mr. Adams happened to be walking by my table, took a look, saw me sign a book for a fan and then told me I should charge for doing that. I must have given him that look that translated to “What? Me? Charge for that thing I made? It’s probably not worth the paper it’s printed on.” I told him I couldn’t see myself doing that. They were already buying the book, so I couldn’t charge for my autograph. He lectured me on why I should be doing exactly that. (For the record I still don’t.) It’s a weird thing for me and very subjective to the individual creator. Everyone needs to do what they feel is right for them. My next thoughts after this interaction however, were, “Did I even belong here in this world of comics? And why is Mr. Adams scolding me?” But I get it. And when you delve into the history of comics, you might understand it as well. Neal Adams — who was born 84 years ago this Sunday, on June 15, 1941 — was that guy. He was the crusader of comics and looking for what you should be getting as a creator. This was the guy who fought for creator rights, artists to get what they should be paid, to get their artwork back after the publisher printed them… the list goes on. The intimidation factor was high. I thanked him and he went on his way. Years later we opened our comics store. We made a list of people we know we would love to have sign at the store and it included names we knew we would NEVER be able to get. Why not? It’s just a list. And if you can’t be ambitious...
A special FRANCO FRIDAYS/NEAL ADAMS CHRONICLES (early) birthday tribute to the late comics legend…
FRANCO’s FREE-FOR-ALL FRIDAYS!
A FRANCO FREE-FOR-ALL FRIDAYS birthday salute…
